Oxyarc underwater cutting torch



1947. V H. o. AUSTIN ETAL OXY-ARG UNDERWATER CUTTING TORCH Filed Nov. 27, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 HIIIL, 9

IIHHII) 3 Harold [LAusTiT'L Edwar' d D.EILI.TLT'LEU Feb. 25, 1947. Q AU$T|N ET AL 2,416,278

OXY-ARC UNDERWATER CUTTING TORCH Filed NOV. 27, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 grwe/wbow H mm u AB n d P am E Feb. 25, 1947. H, o, A STIN 2,416,278

OXY-ARC UNDERWATER CUTTING TORCH Filed NOV. 27, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 gwuwwbo'w Harold D. Austin. Edward 1] .mm mm .Bunnau Patented Feb. 25, 1947 alien @XYABC UNDERWATER CUTTING TORCH l l Orville Austin and Edward D. Bunnell,

United States Navy Application November 27, 1944, Serial No. 565,388

(Cl. 2l915) lGranted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) 13 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in oXy-arc torches, particularly of that type which are to he used for underwater cutting. The principal object of thi invention is to provide an oxy--arc torch of simple construction, and which is effective but safe in use.

Another object is to provide a construction in the above type of torches which sturd in construction but has simple means for easily re" placing the tubular electrode rod by a diver while under Water without the necessity of removing his gloves and with only one sir ole operation.

A further object is to provide in the above type of torches an electrical by-pass for the current supplied to the rod, around the torch head, which will eliminate any possibility of arcing at the rod connection.

Another object is to provide a torch head in the above device with means for quickly replacing a rod, and for firmly grasping it therein, by a simple manipulation of an easily accessible lever.

A further object is to provide a torch of the above type which is fully insulated and has an external or internal electrical connection to the rod which is automatically made when a new rod is inserted in the head.

A further object is to provide means in a torch of the above type to safe uard against the detrimental eflects of flash-back, and to eliminate any possibility of arcing inside the oxygen passages.

Further and more specific objects will appear as the details of the construction of the present device proceed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an assembly view of one form of torches illustrative of the present invention,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the same,

Fig. 3 is a front View of this torch showing parts in section,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view through line 44 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through line 5-5 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through line 6-6 of Fig. 4, and

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a modified form of torch. havin an improved arrangement of the by-pass connection and other simplifications construction.

Several difficulties have been experie bed in the use of oxy-arc torches in the past. sometimes the section section the section with serious results to the operator. As is well l known, the diving outfit that an operator has to wear when working under water is cumbersome and makes it very difficult for him to manipulate any intricate devices or to make even the simplest motions with any degree of accuracy. For some torches previously used, it was necessary to come to the surface to replace an electrode rod or to make any minor adjustments of the torch. In other cases it was only with diiiiculty that any adjustments or replacement of the rod could be made while under water, and these adjustments would be accompanied by the hazards of shorting the power supply current through the operator due to a lack of sufiicient insulation of the parts through which the current had to be passed. The current therefore was usually cut off during such adjustments. Obviously, this also consumed a considerable amount of time.

Other diificulties experienced with some of the prior torches were the burning out of passages, gaskets, etc, due to flash-back and arcing. Flash-back results from a piece of the molten metal flying back through the oxygen passages occasionally and lodging inside the torch head where it continues to burn and causes so much heat that it may start the surrounding parts to burn also with harmful effects. Burning of the inner parts is sometimes also caused by arcing produced by poor contacts in the path of the power current supply in torches of the form which pass the current through parts of the torch head or through the oxygen conduits.

Then there are the detrimental corrosive efiects of electrolysis on charged metal parts of the torch in sea water, which may harm threads and other working parts so that it is difficult to operate them.

The present device obviates these hazards and enables the operator to quickly and easily make replacements or adjustments of the rod in the torch head by the manipulation of a simple lever readily accessible on the head of the torch without exposing himself to any danger of touching any uncovered electrical connections and without 105s of time due to shutdowns or due to the necessity of sending the torch topside for servicing or repairs.

The torch as shown in Figs. 1 to 6 is composed of a frame consisting of two strips of metal i and. 2 connected at their ends to the sides of a brass torch head 3 at the front, the other ends being connected to an end plate 4 at the rear which supports an oxygen connection fitting 5 and. has an opening t for passing the electrical 3 lead 1 into the frame. A /3" pipe 8 having a quick acting oxygen valve 9 therein is connected between this oxygen connection fitting and a passage IS in the torch head. The electrical lead which is passed through the opening in the end plate has an end I! connected. to a plug 12 of insulating material supporting the end of a laminated steel or other spring 42 which is soldered to the end of the conductor id in the electrical lead, within a short piece of brass pipe Hi. The plug in the present instance is made in two parts for the purpose of assembling the soldered joint, and is held together by a machine screw it. The form of plug is immaterial and it may be assembled in any suitable manner. It also has holes l6 bored in it for the purpose of attaching it to the frame. The quick acting valve 8 has a stem ll of the push button type for opening the valve by pressure applied to the end of the stem projecting from A trigger plate is formed over the top of the frame and having slots 19 in its sides is loosely mounted over the top of the valve stem by pins 20 mounted on the frame and passing through the slots. An alternative structure is to have'the slots in the frame and the pins on the plate. The brass torch head has a bearing 2| mounted crosswise on the top thereof for a stainless steel pin 22, the ends of which are fastened to the sides of a lever handle 23 and forms the pivot for said handle. Another stainless steel pin 2 5 is rotatably mounted through the sides of the lever handle at a point above the bearing and slightly forward thereof When the lever is in the clamping position as shown. The ends of this pin are fas tened to the upper ends of a pair of links 25 and 26 which are rotatably connected at their lower ends to the sides of a brass chuck ring 21. The ring fits under a shoulder 28 formed in the top of a fiber chuck 29 which has a cylindrical opening 3%] therein and a head 3| at the bottom. This head has a bore 32 therethrough of a size sufficient to permit insertion of the electrode rod 33 without binding. The brass torch head which forms a part of the frame fits snugly into the cylindrical opening in the chuck. A large portion of the lower end of this brass torch head is cut away and this space is filled with a couple of butt plugs 34 and 35 of non-conducting material, such as slate, porcelain, etc. The oxygen passage H) in the torch head is continued through these plugs. The upper butt plug 3 3 has a series of axial bores 36 distributed annularly and serving as oxygen conduits between the passage [9 and the chamber 31 which is between the butt plugs. The lower butt plug has an annular depression 38 on its top to catch any slugs of unburned metal thrown up through its central passage 39 during a flash-back. The central passage is counterbored for a short distance at its lower end as shown at 40. A rubber washer El about /2" thick is fitted into the head of the fiber chuck, and the lower end of the lower butt plug occupies the space between this rubber washer and the lower end of the brass torch head. The internal diameter of the rubber washer and of the counterbore in the lower butt plug is normally merely suificient to permit insertion of the tubular electrode rod therethrough to abut against the end of the counterbore. When the lever handle is raised, the brass chuck ring is lowered sulficiently so that the rubber washer below the torch head expands but the fiber chuck is pressed against the end of the spring 42 thereby displacing the carbon end from contact with the rod the top of the valve casing.

33. After the new rod is inserted, the lever handle is pulled down, thus pulling the chuck ring up so as to compress the lower butt plug against the rubber washer so that the latter will firmly grasp the rod, and the ring is locked in this position by reason of the arrangement of pivot points bringing the pivot of the links over the center line of the torch head to a locking position with respect to the lever handle pivot.

The laminated steel or other spring 42 previously referred to extends downwardly from the plug 2 at the end of the electrical lead 1 to a position slightly below the bottom or the fiber chuck 2t and is then bent forward at right angles. Its end is fastened to a graphite carbon contact t3 by means of a fiat head bolt a l. The carbon contact has a groove 25 in it to fit around the electrode 33 when in place in the torch head with the handle clamped down. The laminated steel or other spring d2 supplies a constant force pressing the carbon contact against the rod. This spring and all but the end of the carbon contact are covered by insulation, which may be a rubber or friction tape wound thereabout. Obviously, a one-piece spring may be used for the by-pass lead if a material having suitable flexibility and electric power capacity is used.

The bottom of the torch handle may be finished ofi by a Te" brass cover plate 46 fitted around the insulated electrical lead plug i2 and over the bottom of the handle. This, in conjunction with the trigger plate extending over the top of the entire length of the handle, makes a very convenient grip and may be easily and safely handled.

The torch shown in Figs. fication with certain improvements in the bypass connection and general structure of the holding and clamp-ing means.

The change in the by-pass connection includes elimination of the plug 5%, spring and carbon contact 33 shown in Fig. l. The electrical lead 7! in the modification is brought directly to a cable receiver insulation elbow, wl'ierein the end of the conductor is soldered to a phosphor-bronze receiver it. This receiver has an internal thread which fits on the end of a copper rod chuck connection ll around which the cable receiver insulation 38 is molded. The copper rod connection has a shank portion 69 and a threaded end 5i? which is screwed into a tapped bore 5i of the conductor ring 52 which fits in the bottom of the fiber or plastic chuck the shank ill fitting snugly in'a bore 53 in the fiber chuck and the end of the molded insulation fitting into the counterbore 5 3 thereof.

The power current is fed from the electrical lead conductor it through the copper rod chuck connection and the conductor ring to a collet 55 made of two or more parts and having a conical end surface to fit in the conical taper in the top of the conductor ring. The internal diameter of the conductor ring and of the collet normally is slightly in excess of that of the electrode rod which is to be used. and the clearance between the parts or": the collet is sufficient to permit movement of these parts radially inwardly as they are pushed down into the conical taper, into a gripping relation about the rod. A rubber washer ti is placed over the top of the collet and the brass torch 3' is then inserted into the fiber chuck over the top of the rubber washer. The rubber was-her and the brass torch head are of the same construction and are similarly arranged as in the previously described form of torch. The lower butt plug T and 8 is a medi 35' in this form is shown surrounded by the brass torch head sleeve portion all the way down to its base. In this form, however, the electrical contact with the electrode rod is made through the collet, the parts of which are resiliently pressed radially against it by the pressure transmitted through the rubber washer from the torch i sad when it is clamped in place. Thus, a much etter contact for the high current used may be rovided for in this Way, to eliminate the possib y of arcing at the contact.

In View of the elimination of the plug .2 in this form, the cover 4 3 is replaced by a portion 45 of the unitary chase structure l. eliminates a lot of the structure and simplifies the construction of the torch. The trigger plate i 8 is of the same form except that it has the pins 28 mounted on it for sliding in the slots which are now provid d in the chassis sides. further i'nodification in this form is the substitution of adjustable links 25' and 28'. As is clearly shown in Fig. 7, these may be made with a screw threaded bolt and sleeve connection, so that their length may be simply adjusted by screwing the bolt in or out of the threaded sleeve portion.

The remaining parts shown in Figs. 7 and 8 are similarly numbered to the corresponding parts in Figs. 1 to 6, and are of essentially the same form.

Thus, it may be seen that the present devices can be easily made, and provide a simple and easily operated construction in torches which are eifective and safe to handle. There are no exposed electrical connections except at the contact between the carbon and the rod, in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 6, which point is well protected against accidental touching from the outside by the projection of the insulated materials all around it. The contact between the carcon and the rod is positive at all times because of the continuous pressure supplied by the spring lead or by the elastic collar. In the form shown in Fig. l, a solid steel spring of sumcient weight to carry the necessary power current would ordinarily be too stiff. For that reason, the laminated form is used which supplies the necessary weight carry the current, yet provides sufficient resili ncy necessary for the proper operation in this form. of device.

Comparative tests with previous types of torches having screw chucks for holding the electrode rods have shown that it took approximately thirty to forty-five seconds for an experienced operator to replace a rod. With the present devices, a rod can be changed in three seconds by an experienced operator and in five seconds by an inexperienced one. The time element in deep underwater work is very important because a diving excursion is normally limited to as little as ten or fifteen minutes. Therefore, the improvements brought out by this invent-ion are very valuable not only from the standpoint of providing a, torch that is able to stand up and which is sate to handle, but also because of the saving in time of making rod replacements or adjustments reducing considerably the number of diving excursions necessary for performing an operation.

Many of the parts of the torches as herein disclosed might be modified in form and detail arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

' This invention may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

1. A. fully insulated oxy-arc torch having a grip portion, an oxygen supply valve opened by increasing the grip pressure, an electric cable passing through said grip portion and having a terminal with a contact element and a self-- locking chuck for the tubular electrode, for simultaneously gripping it firmly and pressing the terminal contact element against it.

2. An oxy-arc torch comprising a frame with a torch head having oxygen conduits therethrough and a valve in said conduits adapted to be opened by gripping pressure on the frame through a trigger plate extending over the entire grippin, portion of the frame, insulated chuck means fitting over the bottom of the torch head including resilient insulating collar having a normal internal diameter to fit loosely over a tubular electrode rod when inserted in said chuck, an electric cable passed through said frame and having an exposed terminal at the head of said chuck, clamping means for pulling the chuck up on the torch head so to compress the collar and cause it to firmly grip and seal said tubular electrode rod, said clamping means including means for simultaneously forming an electrical contact between said rod and the terminal of said electric cable by operation of said clamping means.

3. An oxy-arc torch as defined in claim 2, wherein the torch head is made of brass, an ox gen supply fitting on the end of said frame connected with said conduits, the valve in the conduits being of the push button type whereby the trigger plate may operate it by pressure exerted on any part of the plate.

4. An oxy-arc torch as defined in claim 2, wherein the insulated chuck means comprises a cylinder made of fiber or some plastic insulating material and having a head with an opening therein, a brass ring fitting in the head of the chuck over this opening and having a conical surface tapering downwardly on top thereof, a collet in two or more pieces having correspondingly tapered lower surfaces to fit into said conical surface, the internal diameter of the brass ring being slightly in excess of the external diameter of the tubuluar electrode.

5. An oxy-arc torch comprising a frame having oxygen supply fitting at its rear end and a tube extending from said fitting to the forward end and having a push button type cut-off valve therein, a brass torch head mounted at the forward end of the frame and having oxygen passages therethrough connected to the forward end of said tube, a cylindrical head chuck of insulating material having an opening in its head end and a counterbored opening in the side of its head, a conductor ring in the head end thereof adjacent said opening, an insulated conductor passing through said counterbored opening for connection to said ring, an electric cable passed through the frame and connected to said insulated conductor, a trigger plate over the push button of the oxygen valve extending the entire length. of the gripping portion of said frame, and clamping and locking means for said chuck including a chuck ring fitting over an outwardly extending shoulder at the top of the insulated head chuck, an operating lever having a bearing in the top of the torch head, and a pair of links pivotally connected to said ring on opposite sides and pivoted to the operating lever so as to be drawn up and locked in one position of the lever and to be first unlocked and then lowered when the lever is moved into its other position.

6. An oxy-arc torch comprising a frame having a cylindrical torch head and conduit means for passing oxygen therethrough and having a button type cut-oilvalve therein, a trigger plate extending over the entire length of the frame movably mounted thereon for opening the valve by pressure against the button valve stem by applying gripping pressure at any point along the length of the plate, said frame including an insulated plug for the electrical lead terminal, a cylindrical chuck of insulating material fitting over the lower end of the torch head and having a head with a bore through'which to pass the electrode rod without binding, a rubber washer within said chuck between its head and the lower end of the torch head having an inner diameter normally to pass said rod, a spring by-pass lead from the end of the electric lead in the plug on the frame, around the outside of the torch head to the side of the rod adjacent its point of entry into the chuck, a pair of butt plugs inserted into the lower end of the torch head composed of insulating material and having a chamber formed between them, the upper plug having annularly arranged longitudinal passages for passing oxygen from the upper end of the torch head to the chamber between the plugs, the lower butt plu having an annular depression on top thereof and an axial bore through its center, it being counterbored for a short distance from its lower end to the size of the electrode rod diameter, and simple lever clamping means for clamping said chuck up against the lower butt plug in the torch head suiiiciently to compress the rubber washer to form a tight grip around the electrode rod, which has been inserted therethrough into the counterbore.

'7. In an oxy-arc torch, a frame, an oxygen connecting fitting thereon, a torch head, an electrode rod held therein, oxygen passages through said frame and torch head, an electrical lead connection on said frame, an insulated by-pass lead extending from said electrical lead connection to a point on the electrode rod adjacent its entry into the torch head, this lead being of spring material to press its end in contact with the side of said rod when in place, insulated clamping means on said torch head for gripping and sealing said electrode rod, and a simple readily accessible operating lever for said clamping means arranged so as to lock in clamping position.

8. In an oxy-arc torch, a torch head having fully insulated clamping means for the electrode rod, a simple lever operating and locking means for said clamping means and an insulated spring electrical by-pass lead for the power current extending around the outside of the torch head and having its end abutting against the side of the electrode rod when clamped in place adjacent its point of entry into the clamping means.

9. In an oxy-arc torch, a frame having cylindrical torch head mounted thereon, said torch head forming a cylindrical space opening at the bottom and having two butt plugs of non-combustible insulation material inserted therein, the upper butt plug having annularly distributed longitudinal passages for passing oxygen from the upper'end of' the torch head to a chamber formed between said butt plugs, the lower butt plug having an annular depression on top thereof and a single central bore, counterbored at the bottom to the diameter of the electrode rods to be used, for passing the oxygen therethrough, a fiber chuck fitting around the lower end of said torch head. and having a head bored for passing the electrode rod therethrough, a rubber washer in said chuck, having an inner normal opening equal to the bore, between the chuck head and the lower butt plug, a shoulder around the upper end of said fiber chuck, a ring fitting under said shoulder, a bearing across the top of the torch head, an operating lever pivoted on said bearing and having a pin mounted therein with its ends forming pivots for two links, the lower ends of which are pivoted to the sides of said ring, the arrangements of the pivots being such that the lever in one position clamps and locks the chuck in clamping position by compressing the rubber washer sufficiently to form a tight grip on the electrode rod, and when moved into its other position, first unlocks and then releases the clamping means, and a spring by-pass lead for the power current extending around the torch head from a connection at the frame, to press against a point on the electrode rod adjacent its point of entry into the chuck when the chuck is in clamped position, the chuck pressing against the end of this spring by-pass when in released position to push the end thereof out of contact with the rod for easy replacement of the electrode rod, said by-pass lead being insulated throughout its length except for its contact portion with the rod.

10. In an oxy-arc torch, a frame, a trigger plate extending the full length of the frame for turning on the oxygen by gripping pressure along any part of the trigger plate, an insulated gripping chuck for the electrode rod, an insulated spring by-pass lead between the frame and the rod, means in said torch comprising passages for the oxygen within the frame including a chamber surrounded by non-combustible insulating material just beyond the chuck for catching any particles of molten metal thrown back through the oxygen passage by fiash-bacl and to prevent them from going any further back in the oxygen passages where they might do harm.

11. In an oxy-arc torch, means including a bypass rod for passing the electric power current outside of the torch head directly to the end of the electrode rod where it enters the torch head, gripping trigger means for turning on the oxygen, insulated passage means for preventing harm to the torch caused by flash-back and clamping means for said rod comprising an elastic washer around the electrode rod clamped between two insulated parts so as to form a tight grip around the electrode rod and simple lever means for operating and locking said clamping means, means for relieving the contact pressure between the end of the by-pass rod and the electrode rod in response to release of the clamping means.

12. In an oxy-arc torch, oxygen passages including a flash-back trap comprising a chamber forming a part of the oxygen passages in the torch head and bound by non-combustible material, simple clamping means for the electrode rod comprising an elastic washer encircling said rod clamped between the insulated parts so as to form a tight grip around the electrode rod and insulated electrical lead connections through a resilient means directly abutting against the side of the electrode rod adjacent the point of its entry into the clamping means when the latter are in clamping position, means for separating the resilient electrical connection from the rod in response to the release of the clamping means and a trigger plate for turning on the oxygen extending the full length of the torch gripping means.

13. A fully insulated oxy-arc torch having a grip portion, an oxygen suppl valve for said torch adapted to be actuated by increasing the pressure on said grip portion, and an electric cable passing through said grip portion to the terminal of which is provided a contact element and an electrode locking means, said locking means being adapted to secure firmly said electrode Within said torch and simultaneously to press said electrode against said contact element.

HAROLD ORVILLE AUSTIN. EDWARD D. BUNNELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,699,859 Bond Dec. 7, 1926 1,927,185 Sammons Sept. 19, 1933 

